Is distance learning realistic for National Guard, and Reserve Soldiers?

2014-03-13T17:17:50-04:00

After nearly an eight year break in service I decided to once again serve my country and I joined the Army National Guard. While it has been a great experience thus far I find myself and peers to be quite frustrated with ALMS/AKO/ATTRS. I am not saying that National Guard/Reserve Soldiers should not be held to the same standards as our fulltime brothers and sisters. To the contrary, I think that we have an obligation to chase knowledge and be ready to step into an active role at a moment’s notice. My issue is that the programs mentioned above are poorly written and the help desk is often unable to assist with issues that arise. Guard/Reserve Soldiers are not sitting in a computer lab on an active duty post with staff at our beckon call to assist with system errors, programs freezing up, etc. Also, I feel all of these programs could be one system, making navigation and assistance a lot simpler. If I’m way off base or am missing a critical piece of information please educate me.

Response by SGT Bryon Sergent made Mar 13 at 2014 5:25 PM

2014-03-13T17:25:45-04:00

Everytime I try to do the SSD that is required it wont show on my computer. Take the security setting off or change them as to let the soldiers that dont have government computers acess the system easier.

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 13 at 2014 5:43 PM

2014-03-13T17:43:07-04:00

SPC Davis have you tried finding someone in your unit to assist with the errors? It may help resolve some of the conflict you are facing in the programs for on-line learning. Usually there is always someone else who has had the same issue and can share information. It may be as simple as your settings for security or further into the browser you are utilizing for them. Running a majority of them in IE usually helps depending on the program or adjusting your settings for compatibility mode also helps. Doing ACCP classes have become more difficult for some do to the way you have to enroll for the full course in order to obtain credit for the course. There is also information on HRC.army.mil in reference to the classes, or Militarycac.com for settings for your browser(s) and different operating systems. I have had better luck with Army-E learning software than ALMs for courses myself and it is usually what I work on due to the nature of the classes.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 14 at 2014 3:45 AM

2014-09-14T03:45:48-04:00

I've run into issues trying to run SSD and enterprise from my personal computers. I ended up finding some online help after navigating through the endless labyrinth of self help links. I took my older laptop and downgraded IE, Java, and Adobe and had to make some adjustments in my browser settings, but it all works now.

If you happen to have two systems, bring up the help page on the more up to date one and make the adjustments on the more obsolete one. I tried calling the help line once and the person on the other end sounded like they were at a call center in some ramshackle single-wide in West Virginia. They were no help at all.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 21 at 2014 11:57 PM

2014-10-21T23:57:20-04:00

I believe it would be more helpful if soldiers weren't giving each other the answers or figuring out certain keyboard combinations that auto generate the correct answers.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 10 at 2014 9:10 PM

2014-12-10T21:10:43-05:00

I feel that the required courses ARE an extra burden on guard soldiers, as they have to be completed on personal time, as it interferes with actual training if it has to be done on a drill weekend. It's a 35 minute drive for me to get to the nearest "distance learning center." And I live closer than almost anybody else. Besides that fact that the armory is ope 8 to 4 mon-fri, while soldiers are working. So I took the effort to get my personal computer set up, and got SSD1 done, and have knocked out all the other random courses as I get assigned them. It's just part of being Guard, and getting the job done with less!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 22 at 2017 2:27 PM

2017-06-22T14:27:57-04:00

I've gotten nothing from the SSD courses. Everyone just sits in front of the computer and clicks away until you are finished. Nobody reads the material....its just a race to get done. It is an added burden for Guard troops. For the most part you can't get logged in due to some security error. It's impossible to run troops through it on a drill weekend. We have a computer lab where half the computers don't work or you don't have the proper credentials to log in. In my personal opinion I think the SSD's are a waste of time. It's holding troops up from being promoted because they can't get it done. There needs to be a different way. Just my personal opinion.

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 22 at 2017 2:35 PM

2017-06-22T14:35:04-04:00

It is a burden, yes. Often times it can be difficult to get what you need because of what you said, support is sometimes hard to get on technical issues. I remember about a year ago during finals week in college with CPT Private RallyPoint Member, staying up for hours as he completed online courses.
That being said I think they should remain for the guard/reserve. While it may be difficult at home, we still have other duties we must do outside of drill, such as PT. It is just a unique challenge of ours.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 22 at 2017 11:51 PM

2017-06-22T23:51:43-04:00

I feel there should be more effort put into the courseware. It's vital to have these resources, but they're underwhelming in both content and delivery. For example, there could be an interactive module for training with radios and mission command systems such as AFATDS or a Harris PRC 150.

Response by LTC Charles T Dalbec made Feb 24 at 2020 2:12 PM

2020-02-24T14:12:48-05:00

SGT DAVIS. Please follow guidance given below